Saban’s Georgia mountain mansion includes lighthouse, boat house

Thursday

May 9, 2013 at 12:01 AM

ATLANTA | University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban is selling his lake-front estate in the north Georgia mountains with its three-story lighthouse and custom boat house. A real estate firm confirmed Wednesday that the 9,600-square-foot home northeast of Atlanta on Lake Burton will be sold privately in a June 6 auction.

The Associated Press

ATLANTA | University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban is selling his lake-front estate in the north Georgia mountains with its three-story lighthouse and custom boat house. A real estate firm confirmed Wednesday that the 9,600-square-foot home northeast of Atlanta on Lake Burton will be sold privately in a June 6 auction. Concierge Auctions says the home, on the shores of the mountain lake, was originally listed at $10.95 million, but will be auctioned to the highest bidder. A brochure says it has “jaw-dropping 270-degree cascading mountain, lake and sunset views.” Saban said he developed the Rabun County property with builder Jim Suddes. It features a grand room with a 24-foot vaulted ceiling, a wine cellar with antique gate from Barcelona, a European-style pub/billiards room, formal and professional kitchens and staff quarters, according to the auction firm. “My family and I own another home on the lake, which we have enjoyed for 12 years, so I was excited when this very special lot came available to develop with Jim (Suddes),” Saban said in a statement. “Lake Burton is our favorite getaway. It’s a beautiful, hidden gem, where we find great peace and seclusion.” Rabun County is popular with celebrities, not only as a retreat but as a filming location. John Travolta filmed scenes for an upcoming movie in the Clayton area last year. The Chattooga River and the surrounding wilderness not far from Saban’s estate was the setting for the 1972 film “Deliverance” starring Burt Reynolds. Details of the Saban auction were reported this week by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

“We’re just starting to spread the word,” Concierge Auctions President Laura Brady said. “Certainly we’ve had a good deal of attention already because the property is owned by Mr. Saban, so that definitely grabs people’s interest.” Saban is one of the nation’s most successful college football coaches. His teams at Alabama have won three out of the last four national championships, including back-to-back titles the past two years. “The auction is without reserve, so on auction day the property is selling to the highest bidder,” Brady said.